AOA response to publication of Government’s Aviation Policy Framework

The Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body which represents UK airports, has responded to the publication of the Government’s Aviation Policy Framework (APF) document.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the AOA, said: “We welcome the publication today of the Aviation Policy Framework and will be studying its contents carefully before providing a detailed response. The AOA has always been clear that we need a policy framework which recognises the importance of aviation in contributing 50 billion pounds and more than a million jobs to the UK economy, promotes sustainable, long-term growth in the sector and sets out how the UK can achieve the sort of aviation connectivity which will allow it to compete against established and emerging economies across the world.

“Measured against those criteria, we are pleased to see a clear recognition by the Secretary of State that aviation needs to grow to deliver the benefits essential to our economic well-being and to safeguard our long-term economic prosperity.

“We also welcome the Government’s confirmation that one of its main objectives is to ensure that the UK’s air links continue to make it one of the best-connected countries in the world and that this includes increasing our links to emerging markets so that the UK can compete successfully for economic growth opportunities.”